Nursing vs. Occupational Therapy vs. Speech Pathology

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Hi everyone!

I was just wondering what you all thought about OT and SLP versus Nursing. If you could go back, would you go to either of the fields? Why or why not?

I'm at the stage in school where I still have a choice about which path I follow, and I guess I'm just having second thoughts about nursing the more I'm exposed to the reality of the career.

Thank you all so much! :)

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I actually considered Physical Therapy but the thought of spending 6 - 7 years in college to obtain the degree before even starting to work as a PT seemed a little long to me then. Now I can see where there would have been some great advantages if I had gone into that field. OT seemed like a great profession especially when I worked at the VA Medical Center. SLP was also a consideration at one time. These are all great professions but with a different mindset than nursing. You have to view yourself as a business with an intimacy for CMS to generate revenue by the reimbursement process. When one well dries up you take another path to stay marketable. Thus, this is the reason why these therapists require more education with some of it in the business of health care for a broad base to branch out and specialize.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

In the future, people will have to work until they're 80! OT is a job that's not physically stressful and you can work comfortable into old age. And unless everyone else is thinking just like you, a career should be assured. They require Master's which keeps their numbers down and their skill more precious. Nursing should take a lesson from PT and OT.

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Thank you both so much for your responses! From the OTs or SLPs that you have met, are they generally happy? Quality of life good?

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

I didn't ask - just accompanied my mother to her appointments. Both groups have good working conditions but you are in a confined area. One PT came to the apartment. They both get to wear comfy clothes - very high on my list since I wear only scrubs at work. You will probably have to go to other websites since I doubt many PT's or OT's cruise this one. I love nursing but have had a master's since the early 80's and have been able to use it.

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In the future, people will have to work until they're 80! OT is a job that's not physically stressful and you can work comfortable into old age. And unless everyone else is thinking just like you, a career should be assured. They require Master's which keeps their numbers down and their skill more precious. Nursing should take a lesson from PT and OT.

AMEN!! SEE MY PREVIOUS POSTS FROM YESTERDAY AND TODAY!

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW

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I have a number of close friends that are SLPs, some OT friends, and a bunch of Nursing friends. In each category, there are some that love their profession, some that see it as simply a way to earn a living, and others that are actively looking to change professions.

I think you really have to research the scope and reality of each profession. Then take a long hard look at what kind of person you are, and who you want to be. No profession will guarantee happiness or misery.

As a nursing student though, I'd have to say that to me nursing appears to have the broadest spectrum of career options once you graduate. Which I like.

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Specializes in CT stepdown, hospice, psych, ortho.

Food for thought, physical therapy assistants in the home health agencies I worked made more than the RNs.

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Food for thought, physical therapy assistants in the home health agencies I worked made more than the RNs.

This makes one wonder.

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Specializes in CT stepdown, hospice, psych, ortho.
This makes one wonder.

Had I only known... ;)

Makes me wonder what the PTs are making.

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PTAs have a minimum of either a 2 or 4 year degree.

PTs, with Masters and DPT, operate like a business. They know their profession could also fall out of favor and they must again find a path to bring in the money for their company or hospital. They have so far been successful to some degree even when funding has been cut to some of their services. They take measures for job security rather than waiting for something to happen which was foreseeable and then complain.

PT also has controlled the supply with the higher entry level education. Both OTA and PTA (assistants) require the same if not higher education than RNs with similar base education before specializing. Of course when demand is high for any profession, they can also reap the benefits. Many RNs made, and still do make, great money in some places working agency, PRN and had the benefits of traveling as a nurse.

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i live in nc, so of course this may vary..

a physical therapy assistant is an associates degree here in nc. you can earn a bachelors, but you can practice with an associates degree.

rn's have an associates degree, or diploma, but both have an education which allows them to become licensed.

so both have an associates as a base level of education.

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